Shifting Shadows and Alter Ego.

Isolde awoke, tears trickling down her cheeks. A bitter taste lingered in her mouth, and her throat ached with discomfort. Attempting to rise, she discovered her body unresponsive, her gaze darting around the room to confirm she was lying on her bed.

'What happened? I thought I was talking to Azrael...' Her trembling hand brushed across her cheek, damp with tears. 

"It was just a dream," she whispered, struggling to console herself. "It wasn't real." 

With closed eyes, Isolde took a deep breath, her fingers trailing over her unblemished cheek. The image of Azrael's gentle face lingered in her mind, a bittersweet memory.

"I must be going mad," she mumbled, her voice wavering as she opened her eyes. A faint smile graced her lips as the morning sunlight filtered into the room. She rose from the bed, her legs feeling like jelly, and approached the large window. 

With a gentle tug, she drew back the curtains, revealing a breathtaking view of Lirond City, the capital of Fogmire State, bathed in the warm glow of the sun. The city stretched out below her, framed by the sparkling waters of the lake beyond, a serene tableau of nature and civilization.

Isolde's gaze roamed over the vast landscape, embracing the land and the trees below. A gentle knock on the door interrupted her reverie.

'Who could it be?' Isolde wondered, stepping away from the windowsill and returning to her bed.

"Come in," she called, and the door creaked open slowly. Lottie entered, a tray in her hands, her face lit up with joy. 

"Oh, my lady, you're awake!" Lottie exclaimed, setting the tray on the table beside Isolde's bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing fine, thank you for asking," Isolde replied, her voice projecting steadiness despite the inner turmoil she felt.

"It's a relief to hear that. We were genuinely concerned... How did you end up fainting for such a long time, two days, in fact?" Lottie inquired, her features etched with worry.

Isolde responded with a feigned uncertainty, her hand instinctively placed over her chest. "I don't know."

'Unconscious for two days? But it felt like an hour...' Isolde's thoughts raced as she processed the shocking revelation.

"I'm relieved you're alright now, my lady," Lottie said while Isolde's thoughts wandered elsewhere.

'So if he feels pain, I feel it as well... this mate bond, I don't like it,' Isolde pondered silently, her unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.

Lottie nodded, empathizing with Isolde's unspoken concerns. "I brought you some soup. Would you like me to assist you with it?" she offered, gesturing toward the tray with her chin.

"Thank you, but I can manage on my own," Isolde replied. She moved closer to her bedside table, picked up the spoon, and dipped it into the soup, commencing to feed herself.

"Alright, then... Would you like me to read to you, Lady Isolde?" Lottie inquired, looking around. 

"No, thank you, Lottie. I don't require any reading at the moment," Isolde responded, offering a small smile to convey her well-being.

"Are you certain, my lady?" Lottie persisted, her expression filled with doubt. "You've been asleep for nearly two days..."

"Lottie, I'm not helpless. If I need assistance, I will ask for it. Please don't worry too much. I appreciate your concern," Isolde said softly but firmly, cutting off Lottie's protests. She observed as Lottie rose gracefully and curtsied, her bright smile fading. 

"As you wish, Lady Isolde," Lottie replied with a respectful nod before exiting the room, leaving Isolde to her meal. Isolde sighed softly before bringing the spoon to her lips, resuming her meal in solitude.

She ate for a few moments, savoring every bite. After she had finished eating, she stared at the empty dish, her gaze lingering on the bowl until she finally looked up, meeting her gaze in the mirror. ' How do I move forward now so as to achieve my goal. ' Isolde thought.

She regarded her reflection in the mirror, noticing how the sunlight cast delicate shadows upon her face, making her appear paler than usual. 

Drawing in a deep breath, she rose from her bed and walked over to the elegant vanity table. Her fingers traced the intricate designs adorning its smooth surface, her eyes studying each detail.

She gently removed the black rosary from around her neck, her violet eyes gleaming as she whispered softly, "Can you lend me your aid?"

Her shadow stretched and grew, its form shifting and taking on a more tangible presence. It twisted and elongated, molding itself into a likeness of her, an eerie reflection. The shadowy figure advanced towards her until it stood just inches from Isolde's shoulder, a malevolent grin curling across its features.

"What would you have me do, mistress?" The Shadow inquired, its tone carrying an eerie playfulness. Its voice resembled the sound of rushing water, yet it bore no semblance to a human. It was a demon, a sinister spirit born from Isolde's own malice.

"Duplicate yourself and keep a vigilant eye on every person within this household. Conceal your presence so the duchess cannot detect you," Isolde commanded with an icy resolve.

 "You do not trust them, they fill you with unease, don't they? Mistress..." The shadow whispered, its dark purple gaze penetrating deep into Isolde's soul. Raising its black claws, it channeled a surge of power, conjuring a sudden flash of purple flames that coalesced into a formidable fireball in its hands. Its grin broadened as it asked, "Shall I eliminate them on your behalf?"

Isolde clutched her black rosary, wearing it around her neck, and began to sing a hauntingly beautiful hymn verse in a low, sorrowful voice, "In the midst of shadows' strife, I seek the solace of the light. With divine grace, my spirit mends, and in God's love, my fears transcend."

This hymn had always resonated within the walls of the church at the orphanage. Just before performing her fateful act, she would sing this verse, her voice carrying both beauty and sorrow. It served as a poignant reminder of her humanity and the moral weight of her actions. As her voice filled the room, the purple flames dissipated, and the wicked grin on the shadowy figure's face faded into nothingness.

"I summoned you to observe, not to kill. Now, depart from my sight," Isolde commanded sternly.

"As you wish, mistress," the shadow hissed under its breath, bowing deeply before dissolving into thin air. Its lingering presence sent shivers down Isolde's spine. She contemplated, 'I need some form of purification... Every time I harness my powers, darkness clings to the air, and that's troublesome.'

A knock echoed on her bedroom door, pulling Isolde from her thoughts.

"Yes?" Isolde asked hesitantly, turning towards the door.

The door swung open to reveal Adrith, who greeted her cheerily with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Isolde," she said, her violet eyes radiating warmth.

"Good morning, Lady Adrith," Isolde mumbled in response.

Adrith closed her eyes, her expression marked by a deep sigh.

"If you don't want to call me mother, you should at least refer to me as aunt," she mumbled under her breath.

Isolde furrowed her eyebrows slightly and averted her gaze.

"By the way, I came to check on you. Are you feeling better?" Adrith asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.

"Yes, thank you for looking after me," Isolde replied.

Adrith nodded before continuing, her cheerful tone cutting through the tension in the room, causing Isolde to steal a glance at her from the corner of her eye.

"Well then, let us venture out together today. I'll be waiting outside," Adrith declared.

Isolde raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Where are we going?"

"I am giving you a tour of the capital city, and there's also a matter of business I need to attend to. Besides, I don't want to leave you alone at home; you might get bored," Adrith explained.

Isolde sighed inwardly, thinking, 'I prefer having nothing to do, but for now, I'll go along with her plans.' She shrugged and said, "All right."

Adrith nodded and turned to leave the room, leaving Isolde with a lingering sense of uncertainty.

'I hope I discover something useful in the capital city today,' Isolde thought.